Everson Walls returned to Grambling State to meet and greet those who attended the book signing for his book A Gift for Ron: Friendship and Sacrifice on and off the Gridiron during homecoming. The Gramblinite football legend signed his book and helmets, took photographs and greeted fans, GSU alumni and old teammates.Walls’ book recounts his friendship with former Cowboys teammate Ron Springs and the sacrifice Walls made when he donated a kidney to Springs.
His daughter was shocked when she found out through the media. She was proud because she loves Springs the same way that her father does.
Rosalyn Lewis, the store manager, said that it made sense to have a Gramblinite conduct a book signing during Homecoming.
After reading his book, she was excited when he came to do it.
“I was very pleased with the turn out; it showed the Grambling spirit. A lot of alumni stayed on Sunday to buy his book. There was a good student turn out, and people were excited to meet him, especially the students. SGA president Steven Jackson was one of the first people here,” Lewis said.
Walls did not expect this reaction at Grambling or around the country.
Walls advises those who are interested in becoming donors to talk to their physicians first. “Some people sign up as donors and realize their kidneys are in bad shape.
“The minority community We tried to hide from diabetes. We even call it ‘sugar.’ It sounds too sweet and benign to be dangerous … The book signing was Roz’s idea. I am not flashy. I do not do it for publicity.”
He was inspired by Felicia (Lisa) Allen, who donated a kidney to her sister over 20 years ago. Organ donation was not foreign to him. “Someone reading this book my be comforted.”
Walls’ and Springs’ wives are best friends and their children are best friends.
GSU was his first book signing. Then on Nov. 9, he will be at the Barnes and Noble on Northwest Highway in Dallas. He has been doing interviews continuously.
The importance of becoming an organ donor can save a lot of lives, especially African Americas who tend to donate less, but are often affected by diseases most.